The public is invited to Algiers Charter School Association’s third annual Gifted and Talented Theatre Showcase on May 3 at 7 p.m. The free performance entitled, “A Place Calling Itself Theatre 3,” will be held at the Cook Center of Performing Arts at Dillard University’s campus in New Orleans.The event is a culmination of the yearlong efforts of Henry Hoffman and his 25 talented-in-theater students. Hoffman, or “Doc,” as he is affectionately called, works with gifted and talented students from Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy of Global Studies, William J. Fischer Accelerated Academy and Algiers Technology Academy.

Doc has extensive experience in television and stages of New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Philadelphia. He has spent 16 years at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and was cited as one of the top educators in the country in 2002 by USA Today.

Guests will experience adaptations from Native American folk tales, "The Brick," "The Apollo of Bellac" by Jean Giradoux, and "The Best Daddy," by Shel Silverstein. Teachers and principals from each school, along with graduates of the program now attending Dillard University, will all play roles in the largest showcase to date. For more information, visit www.algierscharterschools.org or call Kesana Durand at 504.418.4411.

New Orleans Great Minds Essay Contest

Creative students who want to invent a better New Orleans are asked to imagine themselves as New Orleans city leaders with all the resources and power at their disposal.

First place receives $100 in cash and a trophy. Second place receives $75 and a trophy, and third place receives $50 and a trophy. Five honorable mentions will receive medals and gift baskets. Winners will be announced Oct. 1 Winners will have the opportunity to read their essay at an awards ceremony held on Nov. 22.

The essay is being sponsored by author and scholar Tanisca M. Wilson.

Entries are accepted from April 30 to Aug. 30. High school students at the sophomore level or above in Jefferson and Orleans Parish schools can submit an essay entry between 350 and 500 words, double-spaced with a font size of 12.

Submission guidelines include a cover letter with full name and address, school, counselor’s name, email address, phone number and grade level. All entries should be emailed to tanisca.wilson@gmail.com or mailed to Great Minds in New Orleans, P.O. Box 740643, New Orleans, LA 70114.

Harriet Tubman Community Breakfast

Harriet Tubman will hold a Community Breakfast on May 5 at 8:30 a.m. at 23832 Gen. Meyer Ave., Algiers.

New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy

On April 18, cadets of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy participated in cleaning up Federal City in honor of the upcoming Earth Day. More than 350 cadets scoured the grounds for trash to beautify the community.

The academy is the nation’s only open enrollment charter high school with a Marine Corps Junior ROTC focus. For more information, call Col. William Davis at 504.227.3810.

Join the cadets on the grounds of Federal City in Algiers on May10 for the Academy’s first Cadet Crawl 5K Fun Run. The race begins at 8 a.m. in front of the New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy, located at 4250 O’Bannon St. in Federal City. The event is designed to raise money for the expansion of the academy’s athletic department and to promote awareness of the school.

Registration before April 20 is $25 and $35 on the day of the event. Registrants will receive a T-shirt and race bib. Registration and sponsorship forms for the event can be downloaded at www.nomma.net or mailed or delivered in person at the main office of the academy. For more information contact Tara Gardner at gardner1097@gmailcom.

Eisenhower Academy of Global Studies Community Breakfast

Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy of Global Studies invites the public to a community breakfast on May 8 from 9 to 10 a.m. at 3700 Tall Pines Drive, Algiers.

Summer/fall People Program registration

The People Program is a nonprofit organization that offers leisure and creative classes to individuals ages fifty and over. They will begin summer/fall registration at two campuses: the Lakeshore Campus, 2240 Lakeshore Drive on May 5 at 9 a.m. and the West Bank Campus, 6201 Stratford Place (Holy Spirit Catholic Church) in Algiers on May 6 at 9 a.m.

Summer classes run from June 11 to July 16 and the fee is $40 for one class and $60 for two or more.

The fall classes run from August 25 through Dec. 12, and the fee is $150 for one or more classes. For more information visit www.peopleprogram.org.